binary.h4x

Alright, here's the deal. I need to tow my car about 1000 miles in a week. I have a trailer, but it is not specifically designed for a car, just a flatbed trailer. It has siderails on it. I need to know how I should secure the car to trailer. Problem is, my car only has 1 tie down point on the left-rear of the car and I cannot drill any holes into the floor of the trailer. Only securing points are the rails along the sides. Any ideas?

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Chairboy

Maybe... in-gear, parking brake set, and use the tie down in the back as well as tying a nylon strap to the tow hook on the front of the car and then to the neck of the trailer?

binary.h4x

I dont think there is a tow hook in the front of the car, that is my dilemma...

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frodobaggins

There are all kinds of places to tie any car down. Axels, make a net over the wheels, etc.

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deadweasel

Run a strap through the forward frame members or lower control arms, then to the towing neck (the bar that runs up to the towing vehicle). You won't have to worry about too much torque on them, so little risk of damage. Plus, running it through both of them distributes any potential load. For the rear, depending on the type of body the car has, use the rear axle, up against the wheels, or the rear bumper support struts. Use both sides individually if possible, and if the side railing is sturdy enough, tie to them.

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DarquePervert

I've read the thread. No tow hooks.
Wrapping tow straps around the control arms is a good suggestion since you have no tow hooks.. You'll need four tow straps, one for each wheel.
You want to ratchet the tow straps so that the suspension is compressed about halfway. The springs pushing up against the towstrap that's pulling the car down will help to keep it immobilized.
I'd cross the tow straps at one end of the vehicle if you can, as well to help prevent lateral movement.

Drive sanely with the car on the flatbed, and you'll be fine (so long as everyone else isn't driving like a bloody idiot).

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binary.h4x

Thanks for the responses guys, I had been contimplating the control arms and/or axels. Looks like that is what i'll be doing.

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bgoodman

the best way to tie a car to a trailer is from the axles.

be sure to drive slower than you normally would. (esp if the trailer you're using doesn't have brakes)

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deadweasel

Yeah, what he said. That damned pesky "inertia" thing and whatnot.

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bgoodman

well, say a 1500lb trailer with a 3500-4000lb car on it (not sure about the weight of the car in question here) you're looking at 5000lbs plus 4000-5000 more from the truck pulling it you're at 10000 gross. Not much fun if you're not familar with towing. Probably best to keep it around 55 for the sake of gas consumption as well.

Also be sure to check and re-tighten your tiedowns every few hours. You also probably should use Tie-downs rated at far more than the car weighs.

kefka_killer

I may be stating the obvious but dont for get to check the towing/tounge capacity of the truck. I've seen a F250 bend in the middle and get separated 6" at the top of the seam where the bed meets the cab.

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